You know the maxim. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Thanks to reader tips, at times we've played a communications and/or other role in heading off certain developing issues. The following is shared with a caveat emptor in mind.

We must first tee up this topic with a disclaimer, and then dive in.

Journalists ideally want at least two sources to help confirm the accuracy of a story.  At times, that second source isn't possible.  In those cases, other 'tests' ought to apply before certain accounts are published.  

Let's acknowledge up front that this account has only one direct source.  We didn't seek this topic or timing out, it was brought to MHProNews.

That said, for reasons you'll see, we think the allegations that follow have the ring of credibility, and thus ought to be shared with the stated disclaimers in mind.

We Provide, You Decide ©.

Association Leaders, Please Circle Up

1) Background. Roughly two years ago, we know that a pair of gents began to plan a "take-over" of a certain manufactured housing state association. They accomplished their "mission" about a year later.

One of the 'associates' of that pair gave MHProNews a heads up, alleging that said duo have what amounts to a list of other associations they've also targeted for take-over.

Further, it's claimed they have the tacit support of a salaried association leader in said effort. That's significant.

2) Besides targeting the take-over of more MH state associations, among the groups said to be on that list is the NCC division of MHI. If that's accomplished…

…connect the dots.

3) In a sense, this isn't 'new,' because the reason this has the sound of credibility to those who know is because one of the duo is said to have already taken a stab at such a take-over by resorting to the proxy process, thwarted by an appeal to bylaws. A number of industry pros witnessed that event, myself included.

4) State and national association executives and officers ultimately are called to do what their boards instruct. By taking enough seats on a board, of course a take-over can be engineered. That doesn't have to sound conspiratorial, this can be quite legal because it's the democratic process in action at the association level.

5) What's interesting about this allegation is they've internally named certain states and groups as being more "vulnerable" than others for a take-over. A possible method/strategy how this could successfully be executed at the national level was also expressed to MHProNews.

The message to their closest followers is a variation on, 'they' (those in control of a given board) 'aren't delivering results,' or other alleged personal slights, with no substantive wrong-doing being claimed.

6) The irony is that some of the associations theoretically 'threatened' (if that's an apt term…) do have positive results they can point it, here's an example, courtesy of Marc Lifeset, JD.

7) Stating the Obvious can be powerful. Votes matter, so turn-out matters when votes are to be taken. A low turn-out means that those who get their base of support out, win.

One could say more, but that's a sufficient heads up for those involved.

Pivot!

We had a different Masthead planned for today. Sometimes, a Masthead blog post is planned in advance, but circumstances suggest the need to pivot. That's the case today.

Baring some other development, we plan to return here to a fact-based discussion of what it will take for more profitable and robust growth in new manufactured housing sales to occur.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow…

Let's close on the "association take-over" subject by saying what various board members and execs already know – and what the alleged take-over artists are counting on – that some are more vulnerable to take-over than others.

What is noteworthy, after checking with a few seasoned veterans before publishing, your scribe put the following to each: how likely or possible is it that more such association take-overs may occur, if a serious effort was made?

The common reply, paraphrased, 'It's doable for the determined." (See 7 above).

The caveat emptor?

The irony is the duo allegedly making the promises they hope will result in wooing the votes needed for more association take-overs, said promise-makers supposedly have never themselves delivered on what they claim to be able to do.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. ##

(Editor's note: news tips, letters to the editor and OpEds are welcomed at iReportMHNewsTips@mhmsm.com, or verbal news tips can be made by calling 863-213-4090.)

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